Novalesa Abbey
Meditation and prays in the mountains of Piedmont
Located in a wonderful environment at the foot of Moncenisio, at the end of Val Cenischia, Novalesa Abbey is situated on the ridge that links the mountain Rocciamelone to Lamet.
Founded in 726 by Abbone, Frank noble and governor of Susa, the abbey is one of the most important historical and artistic witnesses of the Western Alps.
Founded in 726 by Abbone, Frank noble and governor of Susa, the abbey is one of the most important historical and artistic witnesses of the Western Alps.
The location along Via Francigena determined the strategic importance while the privileges obtained from Franks made the abbey quickly rich and strong.
During the age of Charlemagne (that stayed there before the battle with Longobards) the Abbey hosted more than 500 monks, devoted to the care of pilgrims and transcription of precious illuminated manuscript and became one of the most famous cultura centres of the time.From here a monk narrated the events of the abbey, leaving to us one of the most famous works of medieval history: Chronicon Novalicense (half of XI century).
In the XIX century the buildings were sold by auction and transformed in an hotel for wellness and health treatments. The library given to the seminar and the manuscripts transferred to the National Archive of Turin. In 1972 the abbey have been bought by the province of Turin, that gave it back to the monks.
During the age of Charlemagne (that stayed there before the battle with Longobards) the Abbey hosted more than 500 monks, devoted to the care of pilgrims and transcription of precious illuminated manuscript and became one of the most famous cultura centres of the time.From here a monk narrated the events of the abbey, leaving to us one of the most famous works of medieval history: Chronicon Novalicense (half of XI century).
In the XIX century the buildings were sold by auction and transformed in an hotel for wellness and health treatments. The library given to the seminar and the manuscripts transferred to the National Archive of Turin. In 1972 the abbey have been bought by the province of Turin, that gave it back to the monks.
Composed by the church, mainly re-built in XVIII centrury on the foundations of the pre-existing roman church, by four medieval chappels spread between the gardens, the abbey is mainly known for the medieval frescos in the Chappel of Sant'Eldrado. These frescos are some of the older of the entire region (beginning of XI century), and narrate the life of this saint and of San Nicola (1096-1097).
In the church are kept other frescos like the lapidation of Santo Stefano, made in 1000.
